The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Annual Meeting for UAE (United Arab Emirates) Alumni took place on Tuesday, 26 November 2012 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. The event, entitled 'Social Responsibility: A Noble Cause', highlighted RCSI's worldwide social responsibility efforts.

The event was attended by RCSI Alumni along with special guests from across the United Arab Emirates. They were joined by the Guest of Honour, Irish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Mr. Ciaran Madden and President of RCSI, Professor Patrick Broe. On the night Madden was presented with the Golden Traditional Coffee Pot, by Dr. Mohammad Al Redha, in recognition of his support of RCSI Alumni. 

Dr Mohammad Al Redha, President of RCSI's UAE Alumni Committee, delivered the opening address and spoke on the strategic objectives of the committee. Speaking about the theme of the event, Magi Livadaris, RCSI UAE Alumni Committee, said: "It is hard for corporations to maintain a balance between economy and ecosystem. It takes resilience and determination. The UAE should be proud of all they have accomplished and prepared for all that is still to do."

Also present at the event were guests from three organizations that, against the backdrop of the on-going financial crisis, have not only led the social responsibility efforts in the UAE but helped shape them. These VIP guests included His Excellency Mirza Al Sayegh, Member of the Board of Trustees, Al Maktoum Foundation; Khalid Al Halyan, Chairman of the Al Noor Training Center for Children with Special Needs; and Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares. The Alumni thanked each of the three organisations at the event for their valuable contributions to social responsibility in Dubai and in the UAE. The RCSI UAE Alumni Committee was also delighted to welcome Marwan Abedin, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City to the event.

President of RCSI, Professor Patrick Broe spoke on the topic of RCSI Community Engagement while Director of the Institute of Leadership, Professor Ciaran O'Boyle delivered a speech on Corporate Social Responsibility. Other speakers included the President of RCSI Bahrain, Professor Tom Collins (who spoke about Higher Education and Community Engagement) and Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI CEO/Registrar.